Tonne of rubbish dumped illegally in Shilton

Rubbish dumped on a Shilton industrial estate was linked to former tree surgeon Matthew Mannion

Published:08:25Friday 20 March 2015

A former tree surgeon faces a legal bill of more than £1,600 after a tonne of rubbish was illegally dumped on an industrial estate in Shilton.

Rugby Borough Council’s environmental protection team launched an investigation after receiving a report of fly-tipping in Kiln Way on September 28.

We have no hesitation in taking the offenders to court

Cllr Sally Bragg

With the help of Warwickshire Police, officers studied CCTV footage caught on cameras located at businesses on the industrial estate.

A van belonging to Matthew Mannion, a former tree surgeon from Bedworth, was linked to the fly-tipping and officers found further evidence in the dumped rubbish - including a letter to Mr Mannion’s girlfriend.

During the investigation officers made a number of attempts to contact Mannion, but when he failed to respond the council decided to prosecute.

And at Nuneaton Magistrates Court on Monday, Mannion pleaded guilty to a charge of being in control of a vehicle used in fly-tipping.

The 28-year-old, of Pinetree Road, told the court he was banned from driving and had let a number of people rent his van.

Mannion was fined £330 and was ordered to pay £1,270 costs and a £33 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the hearing, Cllr Sally Bragg, the borough councillor with special reponsibility for the environment, said: “This successful prosecution further demonstrates the council’s commitment to operate a zero-tolerance policy on fly-tipping.

“Our environmental protection team thoroughly investigate all cases reported to the council and, when we gather sufficient evidence, we have no hesitation in taking the offenders to court.”